June is National Pet Preparedness Month! A large part of being prepared in case of an emergency is making sure you have the appropriate supplies on hand to assist you in times of crisis. Here are some tips about what to include in your pet emergency kit:
Extra pet food and water. Experts recommend having at least three days worth of water for your pet. This is in addition to the water you need for the other members of your household. Also, you should have at least three days worth of pet food. Food should be stored in an airtight, waterproof container.
Printed paper records of your pet’s medical information. This can be useful if you need to prove all vaccines are up to date. Businesses that offer pet boarding often require this information. It’s also good to have paper records of your pet’s medical condition in case your electronics are not working.
Extra pet medication and medical supplies. In cases where you are unable to leave your home and your pet is in need of medical care and or becomes injured, it can be helpful to have some supplies on hand.
Disposable (or easy to transport) litter box and extra litter. In cases where you need to leave your home quickly, it can be helpful to have an easy to travel litter box (with extra litter) for your kitty to use. Similarly, having your pet’s carrier in an easily accessible place (preferably near your other emergency supplies) can be of great help if you need to leave your residence in a hurry.
Cleaning supplies (such as paper towels, bleach, etc). It can be useful to have extra supplies to help clean up from messes or accidents caused by stressed pets.
Toys and items that your pet is familiar with. This can help keep you pet’s stress level down by giving them something to smell or focus on that is familiar to them. It can also help make them feel more comfortable in new surroundings, should you have to leave your residence or board them.
Collar and rabies tag. If your cat is an indoor cat and doesn’t wear a collar all the time, make sure that it’s with your emergency supplies and take it with you (or put it on your pet) if you have to leave your residence.
For more preparedness ideas, see our blog “Pet Emergency Preparedness.”
